Eddie Mathews

Edwin Lee Mathews
Born: Oct. 13, 1931 in Texarkana, Texas
Died: Feb. 18, 2001
Debut: 1952 | Pos: 3B
H: 6'1" | W: 200 | B: L | T: R

YR	G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	BA
17	2391	8537	1509	2315	512	1453	68	.271

>> Visit the Eddie Mathews biography on Baseball Almanac for complete statistics.

A trivia question goes something like this... Name the only player to have played for the Braves when they were in Boston, Milwaukee and then Atlanta? Eddie Mathews began his Hall of Fame career with the Boston Braves in 1952. He moved with the team to Milwaukee in 1953 and then played a year for the Braves in Atlanta in 1966.

In that time, Mathews developed a reputation for his power and defense. When his career ended in 1968, Mathews had 512 home runs, tying him for 13th all-time. He hit 468 home runs playing exclusively at third base. That total was only surpassed by Mike Schmidt.

According to reports, Mathews signed with the Boston Braves in 1949 on the night of his high school graduation. Mathews and his father had searched through major league rosters and had decided that the Braves' Bob Elliott was the third baseman most likely to be replaced in the next few years.

Their scouting must have paid off. In 1952, Mathews was starting at third base for the Braves. In his first season, Mathews played 145 games and hit 25 home runs. Boston finished 64-89 that season, seventh in the National League. While only a rookie, Mathews' defensive abilities caught the attention of many around the league.

In 1953, the Braves were uprooted from Boston and moved to Milwaukee during spring training. In just his second year in the league, Mathews became a star. He pushed his average up to .302 in 1953 with 47 home runs and 135 runs batted in. The Braves went from seventh to second place in the National League.

Mathews was a commanding presence at third. His ability with the bat also drew raves.

"I've only known three or four perfect swings in my time," said legend Ty Cobb. "This lad has one of them."

The Braves lost the pennant to the Dodgers in 1956. However, in 1957, the Braves beat the New York Yankees to win the World Series. In Game Four, Eddie Mathews hit a 10th inning home run off Bob Grim. He also pulled a memorable defensive play in Game Seven to end the Yankees' chances. He hit only .227 in the series, but four of his five hits were for extra bases.

In 1958, Mathews and the Braves lost the series in seven games to the New York Yankees. Mathews only hit .251 in the regular season and mustered only .160 in the World Series. In 1959, Mathews returned to form, hitting .306 with 46 home runs and 114 runs batted in. The Braves, however, lost to the Dodgers in a playoff for the NL pennant.

Following the 1959 season, Mathews numbers started to decline, but he continued to start at third base for the Braves. In his final season with the Braves, in 1966, he was allowed to play a year in Atlanta to become the games only three-city ballplayer with the same franchise. He hit .250 with 16 home runs that season and was sent to Houston for Dave Nicholson.

Later, in 1967, he was traded to Detroit where he hit only 9 home runs in a season and a half.

After retiring from the game, Mathews became a coach with the Braves in the 1970s. He served as manager from 1972-1974, compiling a 149-161 record.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1978 on his fifth try.

Sources: Baseball Encyclopedia, AP reports, 20th Century Baseball Chronicle